Tuesday, September 28, 2010

I had more fun dinking around with my new Caran D'Ache Neocolor II's. They are watersoluble crayons, sometimes called watersoluble oil pastels. I love 'em!

This was a fun casual experiment, which almost ended up in the trash when I put on a coat of varnish and it started to smear... eek!

Here is the finished piece (click to enlarge, and then again if you want details):

For those who enjoy the process, this is for you:

This was done on 8" x 10" black Canson drawing board, with layers of Neocolor II and gloss varnish. Note: it was hard to get it bright enough on the black... will have to re-think that. Ever notice how our weight loss journey is like that? We have to try stuff... sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

A neat trick to check your design is to turn it into Grayscale. That will reveal any weaknesses in your composition and/or color scheme... where you need to correct the placement of your light and dark colors.

Hint: if a design can stand the grayscale test, it will "usually" look good in color.

This next is the first phase. It is just the dry Neocolor II's, before adding any gloss varnish. Notice how dull it is?

Sometimes we have to go by faith, by what we "see" inside, believing for a good outcome later.

I used practically no water this time, as an experiment. I wanted to see how the varnish would interact with the Neocolor II's.

Next, a first careful coat of gloss varnish. I need to get the knack of this... I smeared parts of it slightly. I won't use spray varnish... it's deadly to breathe.

Now I added more color, highlights and lowlights... kind of like doing haircolor, huh Anne?? LOL!

And finally, after another coat of gloss varnish, the finished pic:

I had a name for this pic... but didn't like it. Any suggestions?!

Today's Peek at the Past(Time... the precious coin of our life. This look back dovetailed perfectly with today's Toon about Time. I shared about what had to be my most devastating experience having to do with yet another weight loss attempt, and how Time is the great equalizer.)

From Day 50, September 28, 2009:

Then I remembered my own words, that the only difference between the "smaller" ones and me is time, unless they change. No one plans to become "one of them"...and even when you become "one of them", on the inside you are screaming "I am not a freak!"

NONE of us are "one of them"... we are real people, with hopes and dreams, with a desire to love and be loved...to have a life we feel good about.

There is no such thing as a "perfect" journey...but there is progress. Now, I remind myself:PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION

I love this...As if you could kill time without injuring eternity. ~Henry David Thoreau, "Economy," Walden, 1854It's what your picture reminded me of. I like the explanation of your process..it gives me ideas ;o)

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